As the weather warms, activity along Lake Erie increases rapidly.
Recreation companies and parks are reporting increased traffic as rainstorms ease and temperatures approach 80s after a few cold months.
“For the start of the season, we are doing well,” said Truman Myer of North Coast Outpost, a rental company at Geneva State Park.
He said kayak and paddle boat rentals are doing well.
Myer said he opened on Memorial Day and got off to a good start.
“I think it was the most profitable Memorial Day we’ve ever had,” he said.
The options not only allow for kayaks and paddle boats, but also a unique recreational build that is essentially a 15-foot paddle boat that can accommodate up to five people at a time.
Harbor Yak also reported strong activity to start the year after opening in late May, according to co-owner Alexa Hart. She said Memorial Day was a good start to the year and only rainy weather was problematic.
“The weather has been a little erratic,” she said.
Hart said that in addition to the summer options available, two boats are available for charter. She said people can take a 10-question test through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and rent either boat.
“The only boat is basically a giant jet ski,” she said.
It has a 170 horsepower engine. Hart said the second boat is a pontoon with a 60 horsepower engine.
Traffic has also picked up significantly at Lake Shore Park.
“It’s been pretty busy. All pavilions are pretty much rented year-round,” said Peggy Davis, the park’s administrative director.
She said fishing is also doing well in the park with heavy traffic at the boat launch.
Davis said she thinks a lot of people will be staying close to home for vacations this year, which will likely keep local parks busy throughout the summer.